UC Irvine's Mamadou Ndiaye, an alum of Brethren Christian, stands 7'5", as he gets the tip against Pacifica during a November game. SHILAH MONTIEL, FOR THE REGISTER

UCI Remaining Home Schedule

Jan. 2 vs. Morgan St., 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 4 vs. San Diego Christian, 7 p.m.

Jan. 16 vs. Cal State Fullerton, TBA

Jan. 23 vs. Cal State Northridge, 7 p.m.

Jan. 25 vs. Hawaii, 7 p.m.

Feb. 6 vs. Long Beach State, TBA

Feb. 15 vs. UC Riverside, 7 p.m.

Feb. 27 vs. UC Santa Barbara, 7 p.m.

March 1 vs. Cal Poly, TBA

March 8 vs. UC Davis, 4:30 p.m.

March 13-15 Big West Tournament, Honda Center

Source: UCIrvinesports.com

For many Newport-Mesa residents, especially those in Newport Beach, it is super cool living close to UC Irvine and attending Anteater men's basketball games.

If you're a basketball fan, or have kids who enjoy hoops, it is an ideal experience.

“There's just nothing better to do in this town on a Friday night than go to a UCI basketball game,” said Jack King of Newport Beach. “It's great. I get to spend time with my son, Johnny, and it's a lot of fun to watch some great basketball. Plus, UCI is located only 10 minutes from our house. We're home right after 9 p.m. We show up, parking is easy, we get a hot dog and a soda or a cold one, and watch Division I college basketball. It doesn't get any better than that.”

For years, I've taken my son, Nolan, to UCI games, but this year tickets are in higher demand because of the Anteaters' preseason expectations – they are predicted to win the Big West Conference championship and possibly advance to the NCAA tournament.

Further, the fact that they feature three 7-footers, including 7-foot-6 freshman center Mamadou Ndiaye, is a draw in itself. I've never seen anyone so tall, and with seats only a few rows up from the court, you can really get a good look at these guys. Ndiaye, the nation's tallest player, is receiving a lot of attention from NBA scouts.

During home games, and after a blocked shot by Ndiaye, the crowd goes wild and the public address announcer hollers “Ma-ma-dooou!”

“It's fun to hear the Bren Events Center echo with the rolling shouts for Mamadou,” King said.

Today's column, however, isn't about the 2013-14 basketball team – it's about the experience for locals. There are three key factors that make attending UCI home games such a first-rate event: an easy commute, good entertainment value and excellent bonding time with family and friends.

Proximity: Even before walking into the squeaky-clean Bren Events Center for an exciting college basketball game on a Friday or Saturday, there's the time it takes to get there.

It doesn't take long. Any time you can get somewhere in 10 minutes or less, that's a bonus. From MacArthur Boulevard or Jamboree Road, Newport residents take a right turn on University Drive and the campus is on the right side. It's so close it's almost like going to the grocery store.

Once you're there for the 7 p.m. tipoff, parking on the lower level of the parking structure allows for quicker exits after the game.

Entertainment value: Everything you'd want in a college basketball game environment, including reasonable ticket prices, is available at UCI, complete with stimulating outcomes. There is pageantry throughout the arena and giveaways throughout the game. There's always the smell of popcorn. One side of the arena features the Anteater mascot and rowdy student fans, while the other side is filled with season ticket holders and friends and family of the opposing team. Our family likes to sit on the calmer side because sometimes the students won't sit down, especially if it's a close game.

For the record, it should also be noted that there have been times in past years when the crowd was so small, we were allowed to move down into the student section or even the front row after buying walk-up general admission tickets, which are $12 for adults and $7 for youth ages 6-17.

Bonding opportunities: Whether it's a planned team bonding night with your local youth basketball team or an evening out with your child or entire family, attending UCI basketball games can be as good or better than dinner and a movie. It's also a chance to network with friends, colleagues or clients.

But be careful of too much socialization – it can interrupt from witnessing a good game or a blocked shot by “Ma-ma-dooou.”

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